Global military spending

global day of action on military spending 2014

Join conscience and many other organisations to celebrate the 4th Global Day of Action on Military Spending on the 14th April 2014. The global aim is to protest against global military spending, which has reached $1.75 trillion annually. The UK protest will focus on the UK’s ranking as the worlds 4th highest annual military spender. We are calling for the redistribution of the annual £38 billion defence budget and £100 million Trident budget for better use. Plus listen to fantastic speakers!

when & where?

Monday 14th April 2014 11am at DFID, 22 Whitehall SW1A 2EG
then onto:

Department of Energy and Climate Change

Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Department of Health

Ministry of Defence, Horseguards Avenue at 12.30pm

With speakers from CND, MEDACT, War on Want, Scientists for Global Responsibility and Pax Christi

why?

In the face of growing cuts to vital public services the government and multinational arms companies promote military spending through the idea that increased military spending maintains peace, deters terrorism and creates jobs. As conscience and many others believe this is a myth, which prevents the direction of funds towards the real causes and exacerbates conflict.

conscience and many others call for:

Military spending to be shifted towards social and environmental needs. These needs should take priority over aircraft carriers, long range strike aircraft, armed drones, weapons exports and weapons of mass destruction.

No replacement of the UK’s nuclear weapons system, Trident. Redirecting its cost alone could prevent many of the key public sector cuts in the UK

New thinking involving civil society and government to create a clear programme of action for spending, research and investment to build sustainable, common security at national and international levels.

The huge subsidy to the arms industry to be redirected towards renewable energy and energy saving measures, allowing diversification and conversion of the arms industry, and enabling our public resources to tackle a huge cause of human insecurity, climate change.

Grassroots groups, networks, and organisations to work together across their ‘issue’ boundaries, to share experiences and expertise that will inspire others to work for a common security

On the 14th people worldwide will be joining together to call for change. Visit demilitarize.org for more information